Color Blind Test - Online Self Test

You may have heard of color blindness but not really know exactly what it means. Find out everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, tests and treatment for Color Blind Test.

What is Color Blindness?

Color blindness is a term for when someone is unable to see colors in a normal way. More accurately, it is a color deficiency rather than color blindness. Often, someone may not be able to distinguish between certain colors, most commonly between reds and greens and occasionally blues.

What Causes Color Blindness?

In the retina of the eye, there are two types of cells, rods and cones, that detect light. Rods detect light and dark whereas cone cells detect color. Cone cells are concentrated in the central area of the retina in the macula. There are blue, green and red cones and your brain uses input from these cone cells to determine your color perception.

Color blindness can occur when there is an abnormality in these colour cone cells. This could either be because there is an absence of cone cells, some of them may not be working correctly or some may detect a different color than normal.

You usually suffer with colour blindness from birth and generally males are more affected than females. However, you can also acquire it later in life as a result of trauma, diseases including metabolic and vascular diseases, toxic effects from drugs and general aging.

If you experience a significant change in color perception, you should visit an eye specialist.

Types Of Color Blindness

Severe color blindness occurs when all three cone cells are absent, and this is known as Achromatopsia.  In this case, you will see everything in different shades of grey! Mild color blindness is when one cone cell does not work properly, and you may see colors normally in good light but struggle in dim light.

Colour Blind Symptoms

Symptoms can be so mild that you may not even realise that you have a color deficiency! However, they can also be severe and include:

• Difficulty seeing colors and the brightness of colors
• Difficulty or inability to tell the difference between shades of the same or similar colors.

Is There A Color Blind Test I Can Take?

You can very easily do a color blind test online without having to go to an eye specialist. This test, also known as the Ishihara test, is a fast and simple way to determine whether you struggle to perceive color in a normal way. The test is made of a series of ‘plates’ of coloured dots. In the centre, the coloured dots make up a number, and this number is surrounded by coloured dots of a different color.  

Have a go! See the answers at the end of the article.

1)  Firstly, make sure you have the lights on. If you wear glasses of contact lenses, you can wear them to do the test.

2)  Look at the patterns made up of multi-colored dots.

3)  If you can make out the numbers and shapes among the dots, you do not have a color deficiency.

4)  If you struggle to do this, you may have a color deficiency and it is advised that you visit an eye specialist for a more comprehensive test.

If you are not sure about this test or if you would like more accurate results, visit an eye specialist to take a color blind test administered by a trained professional using standardised testing materials under proper lighting.

For a color blind test for kids, it is advised that you book an appointment with an eye specialist.

Is There A Treatment For Color Blindness?

There is no treatment for inherited color blindness but there are special contact lenses and glasses that may help to enhance color perception.

If you have acquired color blindness, an eye specialist may be able to address the underlying condition that caused the problem.

If your eye specialist recommends that you wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, SmartBuyGlasses has you covered!

FAQs

What is a color blindness test, and why is it used?

A color blindness test is a visual assessment used to determine if a person has difficulty distinguishing colors, especially red, green, and blue hues. It's commonly used in vision screenings for occupations where accurate color perception is essential, such as pilots or electricians.

How does the Ishihara color test work?

The Ishihara test is the most common color blindness test, using a series of plates with colored dots forming numbers or shapes. Those with normal color vision can see the numbers or shapes, while those with color blindness may not. This test mainly detects red-green color blindness.

What types of color blindness can be detected with a test?

Color blindness tests primarily detect the three common types of color blindness: red-green (the most common), blue-yellow, and total color blindness (complete inability to see color).

Are online color blindness tests reliable?

Online tests can give a general idea but may lack accuracy due to screen quality, lighting, and other variables. A formal test administered by an eye care professional is more reliable for an accurate diagnosis.

Can color blindness be treated or corrected after testing positive?

There is no cure for color blindness, but special lenses or apps can help some people distinguish colors better. However, the effectiveness varies by individual and type of color blindness.